Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi/lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical notion in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha High-Low offers an amazing collection of wagering options and because you have many individuals trying for the high, and many battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.